Participatory Sustainability Indicators Reveal Systemic Weaknesses in Basic Grains Production in Central America

Abstract

The objective of this study is to establish a system of indicators that enables the rapid collection of information to measure sustainability in basic grains production in the municipality of San Miguel (El Salvador), results that can be extrapolated to any rural community in Central America. We employed a mixed-methods approach, engaging various sectors directly involved in basic grains production. During the fieldwork phase, data were collected using focus groups, interviews, and surveys in five farming communities where an international cooperation project is currently underway. The results indicate that, economically, crop yields, sales profits and labor requirements are low compared to national averages. On the social aspect, health services are located at least 5 km away, there is no access to potable water in homes, and farmers generally have low levels of formal education. Regarding the environmental aspect, farmers use chemicals that are harmful to human health and degrade the soil, and they lack irrigation systems that could increase the number of harvests per year and improve resource efficiency. In conclusion, these findings clearly demonstrate the low levels of social, economic and environmental sustainability in these communities and among their inhabitants.